Sad, but not surprised. I've suspected this was going to be the outcome ever since WaPo posted that video of Nick limping down the steps at spring training.

Please tell me they hope Nick will be back next year...!

Not a surprise, but sad none the less.

Go get healthy Nick and we'll see you at spring training - and thus no more Robert Fick.

Larry Broadway, oppertunity is knocking, and probably for the last time....

Thanks for the news, Barry. Can't say that I'm surprised but it took me aback to see it pixilated on my screen. Here's hoping that Nick comes back healthy and strong in 2008.

No surprises on the line-up, good to have Flores getting the start vs. The lefty and Logan should have a good night with a power hitter batting behind him.

Nick Johnson has got to be one of the oldest acting 27-28 year olds I have seen in my life. There is a reason the Yankees git rid of him. The guy has the body and demeanor of a 45 year old.

Get Belliard out of that #2 spot. He's killing us!

From 9/24/06, New York Hospital Queens: "Dr. Peter Dzenis, with assistance from team physician Dr. Ben Shaffer, put a titanium rod into the fractured femur along with three screws -- one near the hip and two above the right knee. . . 'Generally speaking, we are looking at three to four months for this to heal, which allows the person to really pound on it and do anything they want.'"

Stop hatin' on Nick, Ed! He is the class of the franchise, and was injured only because he played so hard, like his uncle, Larry Bowa. And he is best friends and going to concerts with Austin Kearns, the guy that broke his leg. Pure class. We're so lucky to have Nick.

Have you noticed that Belliard is in a bit of a batting slump? His avg has been steadily dropping the last couple of weeks, now down to .280.

I don't remember exactly when his cold streak hit -- hope it isn't as a result of getting his contract signed.

Annandale -

Yeah, but he missed a grand slam by two feet in SanFran. Mr. Dmitry is in a slump, too, seems like.

It hurts, but it hurt even more back in Spring Training when I came to this realization. If he is back next year, and is the NJ weve come to know (while healthy), it will be a welcome addition. Sure Dmitri is hitting .33-something and NJ has hit about 40 points lower, but NJs OBP is much higher and has shown he has more extra base power (while Dmitri can hit a HR in a certain situation).

Well spoken, flynnie. I've always liked Nick.

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He is the class of the franchise, and was injured only because he played so hard, like his uncle, Larry Bowa. And he is best friends and going to concerts with Austin Kearns, the guy that broke his leg. Pure class. We're so lucky to have Nick.

I'm only surprised it took 'em this long to announce it.

Here's hoping Nick is healed up completely by Spring Training.

And now for something completely different:

With all these 20 draft picks signed now, does that mean that they'll replace 20 players currently on the minor league rosters who aren't playing well enough to stay, or simply be added to the mix?

If it's the former, ya gotta feel for those guys who are getting cut. One would think that if they have half a brain they'd have known this was coming a long time ago, and yeah, it's a business like any other, but despite their lack of skills to advance at the professional level, that would still mean that those 20 being cut -- who I would imagine were also drafted some time ago -- are better than, what, 96 percent or something of all amateur baseball players in the country, right?

Apologies for the ramble, but it's always tough to imagine someone's dream being officially snuffed out.

Curious if Barry asked if Nick could DH if he was in the American League.

Juan-John-

Good ramble. I think that a good number of the 20 we signed will eventually suffer the same fate. It is just the reality of how hard it is to go even from the minors to the majors. I think many who were drafted low scuffled, and will always be proud (passed down through generations) to have been a professional baseball player.

As for Nick- he really is emblematic of the club we inherited. We have had a number of players, although mostly pitchers, who seemed they would be great if they could just stay healthy. I know that the most extreme example of this is Alex Escobar, but is Nick really that far removed from that? He has had two freak injuries as a Nat (remember the injured foot from landing on home plate funny?), and he just doesn't heal.

Being a professional athlete means you have physical skills, and the right kind of body, to do something better than almost anybody. However, the greats are often separated from the could-have-beens by durability, which is just another aspect of a person's genetic make-up.

Dear Livan-

Please embarrass the Marlins for us tonight. We really want to get out of last place.

Your still intact fan base in DC

Oh, wow:

Baseball America has a list of what each team paid to draft picks. The list is titled, "Orioles, Nationals Cut Big Checks For Draftees". The O's are number 1, about $50k more than the Nats, who spent almost $200K more than the Yankees.

This goes a long way toward proving that :

1. The Lerners aren't cheap.

2. There is in fact a Nats-O's rivalry brewing.

Great news.

For laughs, compare the Nats to the Astros. The Nats spent $7.6 million on the draft (not counting the 200K for McGeary's education, by the way), and the Astros spent $536,000. I am guessing they are not following The Plan.

Thats a tough (no pun intended) break for NJ. Lets just hope this isn't the end for him. So, maybe there was more to the DY signing than at first thought.

Amen! Kevin. Nick Johnson has less agility than Dimetri. I worry about the guy sliding when he runs around the bases. I don't care what his OBP is. Of course it's good, he only plays for 1.5 months a year.

Bottom line. We worried about pitching at the beginning of the year. We continue to worry about pitching. Pitching is NOT this team's problem - it's the players in the field. This team will never win batting .240 and they will never win with a bunch of guys that are always hurt. This team has scored less runs than any team in the league. The question we need to ask is how many of the everyday players will be on the roster next year, not who will be pitching.

I just read keith law's chat from earlier today on ESPN.com. There were more comments/questions from excited Nats fans than ever before. However, Law's responses were uniformly negative about the Nats (and positive about the O's). He called McGeary "already the most overrated player in their system."

Sigh.

I guess you just can't win with some folks. You would think that at least there would be an encouraging word, but he even said that the Nats' draft was "good, but not in the top 5."

I know I am happy. Do I have the expertise of an ex-GM for the Blue Jays? No, i guess I have to admit I don't. Still, I really wanted to at least calmly call him out on his pessimism (no chance for comment, though.)

maybe i should have stated in my rant about Law the other day....

ex-GM!!!!! garbage! he was an assistant to an assistant scout. that means coffee and Excel spreadsheets.

I cannot believe the influence that organization has. put some schumck on the webpage and then his word is supposed to become gospel? its sad, really.

Is NJ's collision buddy out now too?

ARGH! I hate the damn Phillies! HATE HATE HATE. I hate Jimmy Rollins and his damned good playing abilities and beefy, but speedy Ryan Howard and broken-handed Chase Utley, and stupid Pat Burrell, and don't even get me started on Shane Victorino and this Hamel freak. I hate them all! ARGH! HATE!

On the radio they said that Kearns had a hamstring cramp.

They also sounded optimistic that the surgery (which I understand would be on the apparatus that connects the rod in his leg at the hip) would help with Johnson's hip pain and mobility issues. Evidently he had similar surgery where the apparatus connects the rod at the knee and it helped in both respects. I hope to see a healthy Nick back on the field next year!

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Is NJ's collision buddy out now too?

Hold on there, Sect. 506, how about saving some of that hatin' for the Phillies fans? ;)

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ARGH! I hate the damn Phillies! HATE HATE HATE. I hate Jimmy Rollins and his damned good playing abilities and beefy, but speedy Ryan Howard and broken-handed Chase Utley, and stupid Pat Burrell, and don't even get me started on Shane Victorino and this Hamel freak. I hate them all! ARGH! HATE!

Think I'll go to bed and read some Bill Veeck for a few yucks. Tomorrow's a new day and a new series. We've got Mutt butt to kick!!

Let's get it ready for next year, Nicky! Keep on trying to get better! Good luck. Thanks for the superb reporting, as always, Barry.

On the previous thread, natsfan1a inquires, with a second by ShawNatsFan: "will you be able to make cameo appearances on the blog over the course of your trip?"

I hope so. Have been fighting major connectivity problems over the course of the week, but if things have settled down by tomorrow morning, I should be able to hit the blog in Oz by Monday evening -- mid-Monday morning in the eastern US.

Hope to have lots of reasons to versify. Many dactyls or few, I'm feeling pretty good about the Nats having reached the next stage, never mind what Buster Olney, Keith Law, Jayson Stark, et al. have to say about it. (And I heartily endorse the stealth strategy. Let 'em snark. We'll show 'em.)

Well said, 506! Thanks for the pre-bed laugh. :)

Yuck. Some bad, sad, but not unexpected news about NJ.

It's easy to hate on his fragile disposition -
you gotta admit, it was quite a collision,
fortunately we got Da Meat for his position,
but I'm really hopin' in the spring we have to make a decision.

Get well, Nick. And don't push it for artificial deadlines. Get well so you can have the career you've worked so hard for. If you do what you're capable of here in DC, you'll have a lot of backers.

Awesome rant, 506.

Ed gets all GHE on Nick: "There is a reason the Yankees git rid of him. The guy has the body and demeanor of a 45 year old."

There is a reason for him to stick around here. Whether or not he ever plays another game in the field, he has the plate discipline and hitting smarts of a veteran.

As I've expressed obliquely before, I state directly now that I hope to smile one day over the following words in the Nats program:

"Nick Johnson / Hitting Coach / #24."

Good luck continuing the recovery, Nick.

Nice rap by ShawNatsFan. I'll grin myself to sleep thinking who could perform this in the closing-day video.

How about Prente And Da R Crew: Nook Logan, Rob Fick, Ray King, Ryan Zimmerman...

Then again maybe I just need to toddle off to bed... NAAAH...

btw- whenever I get annoyed by Phillies fans at RFK (an all too frequent occurance- like last night walking into RFK... some dude in a ridiculous trojan (?) costume, loudly going on about what a dump the stadium is (his friend,to his credit, tried to shush him))... anyway, all I have to do is close my eyes and remember the looks of horror on their faces around 1am on Sept. 29 when we came out after a loooong rain delay and effectively ended their playoff hopes. Aaaah. So much better. Twas one of my favorite moments at dumpy ol' RFK. Were any of you there?

Hendo and SNF: I was wondering is that cadence and almost rhyming was deliberate! :)

Alas JennX, I was there the night before, for the 14 inning loss and rode home with all the stupid @#%@ Philly fans. I HATE the Philly fans...

Also I hate Philly. I hate their stupid eatery called "Boursch" that sounds like the noise I'm making after their stupid food. I hate their ads on the Metro about how Philly is more fun, especially the one with the bar skanks offering you a cosmopolitan. I would rather drink toilet water than your cosmopolitan make-up girl! I hate their gaudy, ridiculous Constitution Center and most of all I hate the stupid Liberty Bell -significant of NOTHING in American history- that's harder to see than the United States Capitol due to insane security for fifty feet and twenty minutes while they have a fully used street, not ten feet from the damn bell, which is ALREADY broken in the first place!@%&!

Remind me not to sit next to 506 after he eats at CBP.

JennX -

Yes, I was there that night last September. It was a sweet memory and one that gave the returning Nats something to stick to when coming back. And, we continue to play these guys hard, much better than we should on paper.

I have to admit again, I don't dislike the Phillies, who have really put together quite a lineup and who have 4 guys who I really admire at the heart of their team: Rollins, 3-fingered Utley, Howard and Rowand. I love the way these guys play.

BUT - I HATE PHILLY PHANS. HATE. 506 said it right, but for me it is about the:

Trojan-wearing,
4-letter swearing,
Drunk til you're daring,
Hate more than caring
Philly phans.

My last point on NJ, who has been a class act on and off the field -- I wouldn't mind seeing him around for a low price, incentive-laden deal. I'm surprised more injury-prone players aren't playing with these deals as a chance to play without penalizing the team that takes a chance on them. g'night all.

A bon voyage ode to Hendo:

Nattily battily
JimBow and Stan the Plan
set out to build
a pillar in the Nation's Cap.

Twenty for twenty
Ego-pontifically
Lerner's dough and scouts
They did SNAP!

Safe travels Hendo. Enjoy Oz - ah, beautiful country.

OTOH, any team that goes out to help the grounds crew, ON THE ROAD no less, keep from getting seriously injured or killed, while the home team is hiding in the clubhouse, deserves some respect. Now, the fans, that's different...

Thanks for the anonymous ode. I'll still be here tomorrow night, having pushed my trip back a day to get the connectivity situation nailed down.

Not at RFK, though, so y'all keep those Met fans in line. (Which may be tough. That is a good team. As are the Phillies, let the record state.)

Amongst all our versical posters tonight, we may be on the verge of a breakthrough in poesy... Rap-a-Dactyl, anyone?

Good point, cevans...

OTOH, any team that goes out to help the grounds crew, ON THE ROAD no less, keep from getting seriously injured or killed, while the home team is hiding in the clubhouse, deserves some respect. Now, the fans, that's different...

Yay! We have Hendo for one more night, and a Dactyl-slam is coming!!

(I had the same thouight re. NJ, hitting coach, but hope not to see that for many years...)

Lovin the poesy, too.

Oh yeah, and from on the road, too, should connectivity permit. I'm so Latella this a.m.

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Yay! We have Hendo for one more night

Hey Barry, did anyone ask Kearns if he had checked where the outfielders were positioned defensively as he is supposed to do?

I noticed it because the right field line was COMPLETELY WIDE OPEN!!! The Phils RF'der was like 80 feet off the line. There's no way Kearns should have been doubled up there because if it's in the gap, he's scoring easily, and if it's played on a hop, he's not scoring at all because the ball was scorched out there. Basically, he didn't have to cheat a step or to, there was no advantage to be gained.

Absolutely stupid play.

Hey Barry, did anyone ask Kearns if he had checked where the outfielders were positioned defensively as he is supposed to do?

I noticed it because the right field line was COMPLETELY WIDE OPEN!!! The Phils RF'der was like 80 feet off the line. Thanks for weighing in, Churchy (or would that be that Zimmy? Langy?) ;)

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There's no way Kearns should have been doubled up there because if it's in the gap, he's scoring easily, and if it's played on a hop, he's not scoring at all because the ball was scorched out there. Basically, he didn't have to cheat a step or to, there was no advantage to be gained.

Absolutely stupid play.

Oh, [RF], I embedded my remarks within Ryan's comments rather than at the top as intended. Absolutely stupid posting on my part...

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Thanks for weighing in, Churchy (or would that be that Zimmy? Langy?) ;)

To Sect. 506, you are the rant king -- those were rantastic!! I especially liked the part about the Liberty Bell, but I also liked the Bourse remark. Classic and worthy of Tom Magliozzi of Car Talk game (or, at least, I think it's Tom, not Ray, who is given to ranting. I don't get to hear it as much since NPR moved it from the Saturday a.m. broadcast -- I may just have to work up my own rant here...)

Yeah, that would be "fame," not "game," in my posting. Coffee not kicking in yet...

[catching up after hockey last night - best night of the summer so far!]

" ... the doctors insist [Nick Johnson's] career is not over."

... these would be the same doctors who 1/ put a metal rod in his leg which now has to be removed, and 2/ were confident Nick would be ready for spring training of 2007.

... how much faith can we then put in this particular prediction?

Stanford University, Palo Alto, Calif. - September 2, 2009

[DFW] Staff of the university admissions' office said today that the well-known student, Jack McGeary, will miss the first couple of months of the fall semester this year due to emerging commitments to his MLB employer, the Washington Nationals baseball team. He is not expected to be on campus to resume classes until mid-October, following the World Series, MLB's professional championship. It is generally accepted that the Nationals are the favourite to win, and that McGeary will play a pivotal role.

Nice, natscan, very nice!

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Stanford University, Palo Alto, Calif. - September 2, 2009

[DFW] Staff of the university admissions' office said today that the well-known student, Jack McGeary, will miss the first couple of months of the fall semester this year due to emerging commitments to his MLB employer, the Washington Nationals baseball team. He is not expected to be on campus to resume classes until mid-October, following the World Series, MLB's professional championship. It is generally accepted that the Nationals are the favourite to win, and that McGeary will play a pivotal role.

Just confirmed (via a team site check) that the time of the 9/23 game at RFK has been shifted from 1:35 to 12:05 (maybe because of the Redskins game?). Maybe our blog tailgate could be a brunch rather than a lunch?

Good early-edition report, natscan.

Good catch, natsfan1a. We need to start thinking logistics *now*. For instance, how early do the parking lots open, and where shall we gather (I suggest the southeast corner of Lot 8)?

Ed, while telling it like it is, when it comes to Nickie J, his departure from NY and his 'stay' with Montreal/Washington, has allowed his frustration to spill over into his words. Not a bad thing per se, but something which caused flynnie to put on his rose-coloured glasses and speak of Nick in terms approaching 'glass almost three quarters full'.

... so to mimic a TV ad possibly before many of you saw the light of day, I'd just say "Stop. You're both right!"

... and in response to nats fan in annandale, I have to admit how disappointed I was in myself that the same thought crossed my mind. But upon the realization of my scepticism, I reminded myself of how much he's done thus far and of how much faith I had up til now. I will give Ronnie B. the benefit of the doubt.

Thanks, Hendo. I agree re. logistics. I've always taken the Metro rather than driving, so maybe someone else can weigh in re. when the lots open. Is it before the (ticket-taking) gates open, which would be 10:35, I think, for a 12:05 start? Lot 8, SE corner, sounds good.

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Good catch, natsfan1a. We need to start thinking logistics *now*. For instance, how early do the parking lots open, and where shall we gather (I suggest the southeast corner of Lot 8)?

Hendo advises: "I should be able to hit the blog in Oz by Monday evening -- mid-Monday morning in the eastern US."

... which bringas to mind a thought I've had occasionally. It might be a good community-building exercise (as if we are not a sold group now) to know a bit more about each other such as the kind of work we do. We've touched a bit on our various educational backgrounds, but I'll come right out and ask if this particular blog would benefit or be hurt by getting to know each other a bit more, beyond baseball and the Nats?

Why thanks, that's a diplomatic way of putting it. ;)

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natscan reduxit (still catching up; you guys are verbose)

I don't think it would hurt.

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... which bringas to mind a thought I've had occasionally. It might be a good community-building exercise (as if we are not a sold group now) to know a bit more about each other such as the kind of work we do. We've touched a bit on our various educational backgrounds, but I'll come right out and ask if this particular blog would benefit or be hurt by getting to know each other a bit more, beyond baseball and the Nats?

At least, I don't think that revealing our professions would hurt. We probably wouldn't want to delve deeply into politics, religion, or other hot-button topics (like the Nats aren't a hot-button topic...), as usual.

9/23 logistical item #1, from the team site, which also features a parking map:

Parking
The parking lots for RFK Stadium are operated by IMPARK. RFK Stadium parking lots open 2 hours before the start of a home game. The cost for parking in RFK Stadium lots on the day of the game is $15.00 per car (cash only). All buses, limos and RVs should enter Lot 7 and will be charged $45.00 (cash only). Please note the following regulations:

* No in and out parking.
* Overnight parking is prohibited.
* No charcoal barbeques; ONLY approved gas/ propane units allowed.
* No selling or soliciting of any items at any time in the parking lots.
* All parking lots have Handicapped Parking and spaces are available on a first come, first service basis.

Tough game last night. I think we saw why the Dodgers gave up on Hanrahan despite his good stuff. If he can consistently throw strikes, he's nasty. However his minor league stats show this sort of lack of control - 4 to 5 walks per 9 innings. If he can get that down to 3, he'll be tough. He's never done it though in 7 years of pro ball.

The Nick Johnson saga is so sad. I know there are many variables at play here, but this appears again to be yet another episode bungled by the Nats' medical staff. Shaffer's early predictions were just plain stupid. NJ certainly has healing time issues - as shown by previous history. Nonetheless, I wonder how often doctors have to go back in for another surgery in these types of instances. Any MDs out there who could tell us? I think we need to be at the gate with our pitchforks and torches on this issue. A strong medical staff can be as a valuable as a good bull pen. The Nats don't have the former right now.

Juan-John posted about guys getting cut for the Nats 20 new signees. For the most part, those cuts happened in the winter. During spring training, a team generally has under contract about 25 fewer players than they'll need to complete an entire minor league season. That's why short season A ball doesn't start until after the draft. The draft gives teams a chance to stock their rosters. Given that there will be probably be another 15-20 players who are on the DL throughout the organization by June this opens up about 40 roster spots for the draftees. One other interesting limiting factor is that the US government grants only about 35 (I think, the number may be off a little) work visas to each major league organization for foreign players. Therefore a MLB team can only have that many non-Americans under contract and playing in the US. That's one reason why having an academy in the DR is so important. It allows teams to sign and train guys without using up a visa spot.

I agree with all the postings about Philly fans. I don't know what it is abut them that rubs me the wrong way. Maybe it was the guy sitting in front of me on Friday night - Phillies hat squarely on his melon - booing the umpire lustily with his 3 year old daughter on his lap. As a father of a daughter, I wanted to strangle the guy for setting such a bad example. Somehow Mets' fans and Yankees' fans just don't irritate me the same way.

... I'll start. After working the bulk of my professional life as a multi-disciplined photographer (which included twelve years as a business owner), I am now 61 years old, and heading quickly towards retirement while doing clerical work with maps and road inventories for the New Brunswick Dept. of Transportation.

... outside of salaried work, my avocation has until quite recently been in many aspects of the Anglican Church of Canada, by which involvement I have enjoyed working visits to all parts of Canada as well as edu-visists to Jamaica and Kenya.

... old-timer hockey, you know about.

#4, that reminds me of the guy who was sitting in front of me at a game last year, I believe it was. Anyway, the Nats lost in a heartbreaker of a game (I can't remember to whom), after which he turned to his young daughter and gleefully said something like, "I'm sorry, honey, but your team sucks. I'm so glad I'm a White Sox fan instead of a Nats fan." (editorial comment: Yes, and he's probably been one since fall of 2005...) Way to teach your daughter about enduring the ups and downs of fandom -- not! I was secretly wishing that he'd take a tumble as he descended from our upper deck seats (so not nice, I know, but it was just a fantasy, anyhow).

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Maybe it was the guy sitting in front of me on Friday night - Phillies hat squarely on his melon - booing the umpire lustily with his 3 year old daughter on his lap. As a father of a daughter, I wanted to strangle the guy for setting such a bad example.

#4's last post was a good one on a couple of points. First, the medical situations with this year's Nats has been hugely important and I like the idea that the team's medical staff must be considered as a vital part of the success of the team overall. We must get a handle on this.

... the only fans I know intimately are those in a couple of hockey cities, and I gotta tell you that the stories (such as #4's account of the father/daughter thing) disturbs me on a number of levels. In hockey, it has become a true problem in terms of parents and the disgraceful actions and attitudes they display. In terms of baseball (and this I believe has moved into the NHL), the one thing which bothered me greatly was the habit, begun a few years back by Mets fans if I recall correctly, of calling out an opposing player's name (usually the pitcher) in a taunting derisive way. It shows no attempt to focus on the play or the game at hand, but is simply a childish attempt to get on someone's nerves. In all cases, those nerves have been mine.

That's very cool, natscan, can you perhaps point us to a site with some of your photos (if NJ rules would permit...maybe not if commercial photos...don't know)? We have a German friend who studies maps for fun. One time we were all looking at a map of the U.S. that had no state names and he put us to shame by naming them all (blushing)...

Okay, I'll go next. I've worked at different roles in publishing for 20-some years. I do mostly indexing these days. natsfan1c and I lived in Germany for a few years and really enjoyed touring Europe while we were there.

My avocations include but are not limited to being a baseball fanatic (duh), bird-watching, watching movies, and trying out new recipes on natsfan1c. I like to read, too.

natscan, the name-calling gets on my nerves, too. Also, I forgot about the leather-lunged woman whom I sat in front of at another game. There was a cute little girl next to her who was attending her first game, as I recall (not with her but next to her). The woman, who was a Nat's fan, was constantly cussing out our players and ragging on them (sample: "You're a [RFing] dead man, [name of pitcher who just threw a ball]." When her male companion spoke to her softly at one point, she said something like "Touch me and I'll break your arm." Whoa...on a few levels. I kept hoping that she'd get hoarse over the course of the game but it didn't happen.

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... the only fans I know intimately are those in a couple of hockey cities, and I gotta tell you that the stories (such as #4's account of the father/daughter thing) disturbs me on a number of levels. In hockey, it has become a true problem in terms of parents and the disgraceful actions and attitudes they display. In terms of baseball (and this I believe has moved into the NHL), the one thing which bothered me greatly was the habit, begun a few years back by Mets fans if I recall correctly, of calling out an opposing player's name (usually the pitcher) in a taunting derisive way. It shows no attempt to focus on the play or the game at hand, but is simply a childish attempt to get on someone's nerves. In all cases, those nerves have been mine.

Let me preface this by saying that I HATE loud, annoying, crass fans, and the Philly fan base seems to have more of them than any other fans that come to RFK. I prefer clapping, cheering, and the occasional boo to constant heckling any day of the week.

Having said that, I wish Nats fans had a little more bite to them. I'm going to Philly for the last 2 games of the season, and hopefully the Nats will knock the Phillies out of the playoffs again as they did last year. There are about 8 or 10 of us Nats fans going together, and it HAS to be that way because there's NO WAY I would go there that weekend just my wife and I. We wouldn't be able to enjoy the games.

I sometimes wish fans of opposing teams felt that way about coming to a game at RFK. Perhaps I am alone on that one.

After a long night of rest, I feel much more reasonable and calm and capable of rationally explaining all the many things that I hate about Philly, but I will save them for the next time they best us to spew forth. In life, I have a great respect for being bested by a hard-working, long-suffering, honorably playing opponent. But this isn't real life, this is baseball.

So Hanrahan (4 BB, 8 SO): are you really thinking of giving up on him?! He started in A ball and has had three outings resulting in wins and one pretty darn good outing against the best offensive (most offensive?) team in baseball. He only gave up two Earned Runs, despite the control problems, and both on a single bad pitch. That's GOOD. He's not Major League material yet, he's got to learn to trust his stuff (thank you, Don Sutton), but he's far, far, far from a hopeless case. Give him a shot at making the team next year, but make him prove it, otherwise AAA ball would be good for him to work on things without facing Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Aaron Rowand and Jimmy Rollins - who didn't even do that well against him.

the name-calling/personal attacks gets even worse when it's directed at other fans. i had the pleasure of being at last night's game with one of my buddies and my girlfriend (amid all the groans on AK's baserunning gaffe)...

While we were there, we had the fortune of being serenaded by the Phillies fans two rows in front of us. They thought it was wildly amusing to continually challenge the older [Nats-loving] gentlemen one section over to a fight, saying such witty things as "I'll kick your -ss, you old fart," "shut the f--- up or I'll shove your walker up your -ss," and other delightful things that really reflected the positive aspects of their nature.

While I'm never one to shy away from a competitive rivalry (and even had my fair share of borderline-acceptable spirit in college), that kind of personal attack is one of the more disappointing parts of being a fan. Objectively, as others have noticed, it seems to happen far more with Phillies fans than those of any other team. I would name the Yankees fans from last summer as distant seconds in obnoxiousness.

faNATic,

What you heard was clearly way beyond the pale, and I think next time you should call an usher and complain. No one in the stands should have to put up with that verbal abuse, and I don't just mean the older gentleman who was the direct object of the remarks. Sounds like mean drunks to me.

Hanrahan didn't start in A ball, that was Lannan, who is only 22 or spo years old. Hanrahan is more like 26 or so and has been in the minors for many years.

I don't think anyone whould even contemplate giving up on either of these guys, but we also need to be aware of their limitations. Guys like Hanrahan, Lannan and Balester are going to provide the depth for next season (probably with 2 or the 3 in the minors) and the bridge to the Detwilers, Zimmermanns and Wilems (among others) who will be ready to make their debut in the Majors in 2-3 years or so (maybe more like 4-5 with the HS guys drafted in '06 + '07).

Traveler, it was bad enough that we just up and moved after getting some food. We also let the ushers know on the way out of the section, although unfortunately - judging by when we walked by later, they didn't seem to be in any hurry to do too much about the situation. It was seven or eight kids from Philly, and I think I blame a combination of drunk and group-encouraged obnoxiousness. Not that I'm that old myself (a whopping 24), but no reason for that at any point.

Hopefully next year and beyond, as the team harnesses the excitement of the new stadium and if the Plan garners us a playoff race (and the requisite bandwagon fans), we'll be able to sell a much greater percentage of seats to the hometown crowd, creating a more Nats-friendly atmosphere. While I don't want other fans to fear coming to our stadium (let's be honest, we welcome their money), if the pro-Nats contingent is louder and shows up more consistently, we are all that much better off.

Hanrahan didn't start in A ball, that was Lannan, who is only 22 or spo years old. Hanrahan is more like 26 or so and has been in the minors for many years.

I don't think anyone whould even contemplate giving up on either of these guys, but we also need to be aware of their limitations. Guys like Hanrahan, Lannan and Balester are going to provide the depth for next season (probably with 2 or the 3 in the minors) and the bridge to the Detwilers, Zimmermanns and Wilems (among others) who will be ready to make their debut in the Majors in 2-3 years or so (maybe more like 4-5 with the HS guys drafted in '06 + '07).

Hanrahan is 25 and Lannan is 22, both have birthdays coming this fall.

Philadelphia fans in all sports are the worst. I once did some research, making sure to find verification of horrors attributed to Phil fans, and established that the following shocking stories (just a sample of the disgusting tales I found) are true:

* A man who dared to wear a Dolphins jacket to an Eagles home game was beaten into unconsciousness in the men's room.
* A man who had been among the first in the nation to have a severed hand successfully reattached through surgery was invited to throw out the first pitch at a Phillies game. When he threw the ball toward the plate, it bounced before the catcher got it. The Phils fans booed him.
* When Dallas Cowboy receiver Michael Irvin's neck was broken during play in Philadelphia, the fans cheered the injury and high-fived one another--before learning whether or not Irvin was even still alive.
* Eagles fans who were angry that their team was losing a game during the holiday season tossed snowballs and debris at a guy the team brought onto the field dressed as Santa Claus.
* The older gentleman who dresses in a faux Indian costume as "Chief Zee" and attends Redskins games (on his own dime) accompanied the team to a game in Philadelphia some years ago. In front of a security guard who did nothing, Eagles fans stripped off all of Chief Zee's clothing but his underwear and beat him so severely that he required eye surgery. The Eagles' owner apologized and gave Chief Zee a free pass to the next 'Skins game in Philly. When he came back the next year, an elderly woman walked up to him, said, "The last guy who dared to come here dressed like that got what he deserved," and threw her drink in his face. Chief Zee told a reporter later, "I can still taste that drink. And I will never go back to Philadelphia."

Re mean drunks, that usually merits ejection if an usher is alerted. At least outside of Philly.

It certainly does in DC: I've seen fans excused from the game at FedEx, RFK and Verizon.

faNATic, I hope your experience was an outlier. And if the ushers don't respond to your satisfaction, I'd drop a line to Stadium Security, or to Stan.

... I think this goes a long way towards explaining to me why the 1970's Flyers were the "Broad Street Bullies" - surely one of the lower points in NHL history - and why they were able to sustain that disgraceful attitude. It would seem they fed off the fans ... and vice versa.

In line with my previos post, and adding on to what others have said since, there's a reason I've been in confrontations with Philly fans on a number of occasions. I'm not willing to surrender my turf to them. I've also been a witness to the sort of things that faNATic described...
"saying such witty things as "I'll kick your -ss, you old fart," "shut the f--- up or I'll shove your walker up your -ss," and other delightful..."
and I won't stand for it. You think you'll do that? Not while I'm sitting here. Pull that s**t in your own god**mn stadium, because you're not pulling it in mine.

Philly fans are the worst, they were picking fights left and right last night after the game. So low-class.

I am so eagerly anticipating ruining the Phans season again this year to continue their streak in futility. Forget the O's, I want the Phils' blood.

I think only the worst of the Philly fans trek south to RFK. The one Redskin game I went to in Philly was a learning experience, I did see some Skin paraphenalia wearing fans leaving the stadium with blood on them. The only Nats/Philly game I ever went to in Philly was the 05 season opener. I had no bad experience there and did not notice any other fans wearing Nats gear have a problem either. My car had a Nats sticker on the window and though I feared some type of vandalism, none was forthcoming...thank goodness. Maybe we were just to new a team for them to bother much with us at that time. Seems though, that time has caught up with us and a full fledged rivalry has begun. Phooey on Philly...the sick *astards.

Problem with Filly Fans is that their entire identity revolves around the "we're so tough that we booed Santa Claus" routine.

Gotta think that they're desperately trying to compensate somehow for inadequacies in other parts of their pathetic lives.

Responding to something from hours ago (but hey, I actually tried to get some work done this morning and forbade myself from checking in here until one particular task was accomplished!)-- it's not the Phillies players that I dislike. That's actually what made 506's rant so funny... it was basically saying "damn you for being good and beating us!" And I agree on the appreciation for the team for jumping in to help with the tarp in CO (where were the Rockies?!). The fans... yeah. Different story.

On another note, I set up a gmail account to allow folks here to swap personal email addresses if they so desire, and to aid with logistics for the 9/23 meet-up. I know I've often wanted to reply to something privately without sending a response for the whole world to see. Email me at BarryBlogger@gmail.com if you'd like to share your personal email address with other Nationals Journal regulars so you can be contacted off-blog. I promise not to do anything weird with it and will only give it to others with your permission.

And, to answer the previous inquiry, I'm an organizer (go figure!) for a non-profit organization, working on promoting sustainable agriculture and green food choices.

Actually, it's a pity that the Phils have these Phans - I couldn't figure out why there was such loud booing when their two pitchers were pulled late in the game last night (thought it was poor behavior on our part), then realized that it was the Phans booing their own pitchers. I think the only justification for booing your own player is if he is showing poor sportsmanship, otherwise he deserves your support, for better or for worse. (I do understand groaning over poor play, but that's not the same as booing!) A good example of this came on Tuesday, when Redding pitched a great game, even hit a beautiful line drive double, but did get in trouble late - when he was pulled from the game we gave him a round of applause for a great overall performance, didn't boo because he had left with the bases loaded. This is the exact opposite of the way the Phans would react. I think the Phillies deserve better.

And, I agree with Matt, we should be a lot more vocal about the support of the Nats, especially with loudmouths in the park - starting tonight would be fine!

More than a little off-topic, but SI.com is reporting Zambrano & the Cubbies agreed to a five-year, $91.5-million contract extension.

Philly fans once booed a dog! There was a half-time show with an award winning frisbee-catching dog who showed off his incredible ability to twist, turn and leap to nab frisbees in mid-air. He demonstrated his ability time after time, but when he finally missed one, the fans resoundingly booed him.

Agreed JennX, damn the Phillies for being good. We just lost that one. But my hatred for the fans and their city is born out of disgust, not admiration.

Like your gmail idea, it'll be helpful also for posting my raw data for anyone that wants to do their own statistical interpretation of August coverage.

To Natscan, I'm a mid-twenties Hill staffer and media and politics junkie. But I love avoiding them in this blog, since it's my job. I secretly wanted to be an English major because I love literature (and would always fight in defense of poesy), but couldn't bear to go for that degree since we murder to dissect. I appreciate that aspect of this blog, too.

I agree with others that Nats fans might do a better job of protecting the house (for instance, by booing down the cheers of opposing fans, not by engaging in fisticuffs or insult-slinging with them).

I also agree that in cases where someone is being threatened or attacked, notifying the users/security personnel is the way to go. I've done this in the past (although in that case the offending fans were spoken to rather than ejected).

JennX -- brilliant idea re. the gmail account! I will contact you offline.

I meant the ushers, of course. Dang typo gremlins...

---

users/security personnel

On a slightly different topic, is Wily Mo here yet? Afternoon shuttle from Boston? Secret service escort from DCA?

Hey Barry-

What's the over/under on Zimm committing more errors than hitting home runs? Right now he has the same # of both.

I'm a huge fan of Zimm's, so I'm going to say he gets more homers than errors, but it's food for thought...

What's with all the hate? Geez. Stop the madness people!

Barry please put up another post so the masses will stop this craziness!!

I recall some of the legendary mock battles between "Chief Zee" and "Crazy Ray" (RIP). We always gave the unofficial mascots from the other team some respect, not like our NL East neighboors to the North.

Any word on Kearns hammy from last night?

Also, everyone should check out the ball-wonk's post on McGeary's sihning, funny stuff...

Also, check out the online's Post Nationals section (Sights and Sounds area, I think it is) for the McGeary video, the Boz video with a tour of new stadium, and the podcast from yesterday's game.

Speaking of which, am I the only one who thinks that Don Sutton's demeanor in the photo on p. E2 is kinda comical? (Bowden is pointing and laughing at McGeary's new shoes. McGeary is laughing good-naturedly. Don Sutton is standing behind them with his arms folded, a rather inscrutable expression on his visage. Thought bubble ideas, anyone? Mine (for Sutton) is: "Jim Bowden. What a putz." Course, maybe Sutton is just restraining himself from laughing hysterically at JimBo's antics...

---

Also, everyone should check out the ball-wonk's post on McGeary's sihning, funny stuff...

Also, everyone should check out the ball-wonk's post on McGeary's sihning, funny stuff...

Posted by: estuartj | August 17, 2007 12:42 PM

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

ESJ: ?????

That's as good a segue as any.

I received my English degree from the University of Maryland in December (didn't start until I was 24 due to a six-year military committment). Moved to Minneapolis with my wife in January so she can finish up her BA a the U.

For the record, January is not the best month to move to Minnesota.

Work at a for-profit university. For those of you who think "for profit" and "university" don't belong together, well, you're right, but neither do "homeless" and "John," as far as I'm concerned.

-----

I secretly wanted to be an English major because I love literature (and would always fight in defense of poesy), but couldn't bear to go for that degree since we murder to dissect.

natscan, if you Google "ball wonk" and "McGeary" it should get you there...

The ROTC pale ale program is a hoot, but i LOVE the Ball-Wonk floodgates posting!

Seeing the mugs of Ray "Triple Burger" King and Ayala on the Crescent City made me snort my beverage at my desk! As a regular to NoLa (my sister and nieces live there), I would set up King by the Lake Pontchatrain levees because a leftie could continue to face the city while holding back the floodwaters (the rightie would face Metairie).

I'm still giving big ups to King and Ayala for preserving the Nats win Wed night (and still think Ayala shoulda come in first instead of Rivera - bless his heart).

I wonder how many English or lit or journalism majors we have here? It is a particularly literate blog, IMO. My degree is in general studies, but there was a strong focus on English and literature, and my mom was an English major (who was constantly pounding the fear of the split infinitive into us...oops).

Regarding Philly phans --

that's why their teams are losers -- they have such losers for fans! Deep down in their subconscious, the players know they have loser fans and so they lose the game.

Nationals fans....you will love me.

With all the proofreading and the now-traditional double dactyl, I'd say a few.

-----

I wonder how many English or lit or journalism majors we have here? It is a particularly literate blog, IMO. My degree is in general studies, but there was a strong focus on English and literature, and my mom was an English major (who was constantly pounding the fear of the split infinitive into us...oops).

Chico versus Glavine tonight, so I figured the following blurb from Onion Sports might be appropriate:

Tom Glavine Ominously Announces He Will Be Last 300-Game Winner

CHICAGO-Moments after the last out in his historic 300th pitching win, Mets ace Tom Glavine silenced a crowd of will-wishers by announcing in a cold, emotionless voice that he would be the last ever to win 300 games. "Make no mistake, after me, there will be no one else to win this many games as a pitcher. Ever," said Glavine in tones that froze the blood of all who heard it. "Randy Johnson will not recover from injuries. [Mike] Mussina will not play, and perhaps not live, long enough. And C.C. Sabathia, I beg you - you are so young, with so much to live for. Do not dance with the devil by attempting to win 300 games now that Glavine has done so." Upon hearing Glavine's chilling declaration, top pitchers Andy Pettite, Barry Zito, and Tim Hudson announced they would retire at the end of the season.

Dang, the Nats really DID get Wily Mo Pena ("and cash considerations for a player to be named later")!

Huh? Are you guys serious about Wily Mo?

You heard it hear first, I am a National. I will hit hundreds of bombs out of the new stadium.

It would seem so. There's an item on the Boston Herald site. Also on MLB Trade Rumors site. And WTOP just announced it. Barry's probably workin' it right now.

Talk to you guys later. natsfan1c and I have plans to play hooky for the rest of the day...

I get Nats text-mail updates on my cell. Nothing on nationals.com yet, though.

I imagine we'll hear from Barry soon.

'Tis true, 'tis true, NatsNut. Wily Mo (Less) is a Nat.

nationals traded for wily moe pena for cash and ptbl great trade for the nationals

nationals traded for wily moe pena for cash and ptbl great trade for the nationals

nationals traded for wily moe pena for cash and ptbl great trade for the nationals

Wily Mo? Say it ain't so!
Ugh.

All right Kearnsie. Wake up notice has been sent - pick up your bat, and your head on the basepaths, and get to it!

And Wily Mo, I'm open to you making me a believer. Please change my mind, I'm begging you!

Also being reported on SI.com via Boston AP:

"The Boston Red Sox traded outfielder Wily Mo Pena to the Washington Nationals for a player to be named later, the Red Sox announced Friday. The Red Sox also gave the Nationals cash considerations in the trade."

Wily Mo! I am stoked!

... thanx natsfan1a, for the nudge toward Google, and subsequently, Ball-Wonk.

... but it brings up a question for all of you. Admittedly, I am blog ignorant, if not a total Luddite. I have heard many of you as well as the Nats audiocasts make reference to the 'Nationals blogs', and have wondered what this kind of thing is all about.

... are these bloggers merely independent fans with more than a modicum of TechnoSmarts and time on their hands, and an insatiable desire to be heard? Are they otherwise employed sports writers or perhaps team staff members who simply cannot get enough exposure in the usual way? Or are they something else, completely different?

... uninformed but enquiring minds want to know.

How much cash dd it cost them for us to tak WMP off their hands?

Does anyone know how the parameters for a player to be named later" are woked out? Do they agree "in principal" to the evel of player or I'd it dependent on the traded value's performance with the new team?

Almost exclusively the first one...

... are these bloggers merely independent fans with more than a modicum of TechnoSmarts and time on their hands, and an insatiable desire to be heard?

Can anyone put together a narrative on the pluses of WMP? His numbers by themselves don't look great...

natsfan1a sez: "Barry's probably workin' it right now."

Probably not, I'd say. He did previously mention that he's off this weekend for the Mets series. The Post will probably drop this news on its website whenever the intern assigned to cover tonight's game gets over to RFK. Probably that won't be until shortly before game time, unless Joe Gibbs decides to call a media blackout for this afternoon and the Post sports department finds it has nothing else to cover.

JennX, not an authoritative source but I did find a Wiki on him...

To sum it up, JennX:

POTENTIAL

If I'm not mistaken, he's only 23. JimBo loves him for the same reasons he loves Kearns, Lopez, Wagner, and Dunn. Not to say Wil Mo won't ever be someone, but he's a free agent after this year, so this last month or 2 is basically an opportunity for JimBo to get a closer look at him (in my opinion).

Great. A two fiddy career hitter with negligible power. My hopes for the future of the Nats just took a giant nosedive.

Wow... fast web work. I clicked on WMP's name on the Red Sox mlb.com page roster, and it brings up his stats and whatnot with Nats banners and menu bars.

What is it with the Nats collecting dismal outfielders? Does Pena add anything to an OF that already claims the likes of minor leaguers Logan and Langerhans, plus a struggling Kearns and Church? It's hard to imagine how Pena fits into The Plan -- unless The Plan is simply to build the Cincinnati Reds of D.C. Let's hope the player to be named later is in fact Langerhans ... or Screech. It's hard to see how this is a wise move.

Also, (someone correct me if I'm wrong) JimBo likely foresees him being a 40 HR-hitting corner outfielder, but take that for what it's worth. I believe in his best year he had 26 homers, and that wasn't even a full season, it was in 300-some at-bats.

JennX, here is my narrative on the pluses of WMP:

.

On the blogs, I would bet they're a bunch of soul-less bureaucrats using up your (well not you, Natscan, but most of the other "yous") tax dollars. I know I am!

Evry report I've heard on WMP says he has real power, but has not done well in bean town because of limited playimg time. Coming back to the NL should be a good move for him, and lord knows we can use another bat.

Out of curiosity where did this "WMP has real power" rumor get started? Great American Park is of the most hitter-friendly in baseball. And WMP has 67 career HRs, since 2002. Dream on.

JennX:
Ignore Fleegle. Hope for the best. If you are consistently negative and hate everything your team does, you end up like those Philly fans we've been ranting about. It's not like we signed him to a 10-year contract. We have him for a 1 1/2 month tryout, and Boston's paying some his contract.

Wily Mo: definitely NOT Plan-worthy.

Matt: I've been trying with varying levels of success to ignore Fleegle for the last 10 years.

Wily Mo is beyond plan worthy. They PAID us to take him. He has tremendous power and David Ortiz sees himself in Wily Mo. Remember when Ortiz was a nobody with the Twins so they traded him to Boston? I am not saying this will happen, but it is absolutely without a doubt worth the very little risk in this deal. Unbelievably good deal, even if he never turns it around.

And no I am not Jim Bowden. But I have been hoping they'd get Pena for months. Three years from now, we'll look back on this week as the week that the Nationals became contenders.

Wily Mo had precisely 26 home runs in 336 at-bats in 2004. He has 40 home run potential.

Gotta think the Willy Mo "player to be named" is anyone they can get through waivers. Church, perhaps?

Geez guys, the Nats took a flyer on a 23 year old and gave up nothing in return (yet.) What is the problem? And don't give me any nonsense about "the plan." If "the plan" didn't include taking inexpensive flyers on guys, Dmitri Young wouldn't be here. Or in the majors.

My guess is that the Red Sox stopped asking about a relief pitcher when they got Gagne. That's all.

First of all, Pena is 25.

Secondly, can we confirm his contract status? If he really is a UFA after this season, then this is really just a tryout. If not, we have a pretty full outfield (and still paltry numbers).

If Pena stays, at least the Dunn rumors are squashed (I hope). Church would move to a fourth outfielder who can play all three outfield positions.

I hope this isn't Bowden's solution to our lack of production from the outfield positions. I'm still thinking we need to look at CF options.

Out of curiosity where did this "WMP has real power" rumor get started? Great American Park is of the most hitter-friendly in baseball. And WMP has 67 career HRs, since 2002. Dream on.

Posted by: Fleegle | August 17, 2007 02:21 PM

********************

He did break my record for the longest HR hit at Fenway.

WMP - from 2004 - 2005, when he played enough to get 300+ ABs, he hit 45 home runs in a less than 650 ABs. Even last year, when he played regularly during Nixon's injury, WMP hit 11 HRs in 276 ABs. How many guys on the Nats roster hit 56 home runs in that period? Answer - Dmitri, and that's it (unless maybe you count Batista's Japan stats). I'm not sure if he is an FA next year - I think his service time is < 3 years. Just let the guy play every day. he's young, was rushed to the majors due to his contract.

John in Mlps,
Does your above comment say that you value Logan over Church? Or do you think the OF next year would be kearns in right Rowand (some FA) in center and Pena in left, with Church as the 4th and Logan as 5th off the roster?

Si.com claimed he signed a 1-year deal before this season. Perhaps that was an arbitration deal, and he's still arbitration eligible.

The low-down on Willy Mo:

25 yrs old (1/23/82). Not a UFA (doesn't have 6 years service time, although he's been in ML for 6 years he was in minors for part of some of those years).

Home stats: 278/331/503, 31 HR
Away Stats: 243/297/455, 31 HR

Great American Ballpark: 262/321/494

Thanks to Retrosheet.org for the numbers

If he is arbitrationelligble, if we offer and he signs elsewhere would we get compensated with a draft pick?

prior numbers do not include 2007.

That said, the Nats do have a pretty good track record with, excuse the expression, head cases. This is WMP's 6-week tryout for the locker room, as much as the outfield.

_______
It's not like we signed him to a 10-year contract. We have him for a 1 1/2 month tryout, and Boston's paying some his contract.
Posted by: Matt | August 17, 2007 02:21 PM

I'm not a big Wily Mo or JimBo fan, but.... if there is one thing JimBo can do, it's claim guys off the scrap heap. He's been doing it for three years here and that's why the Nats have been (reasonably) successful. I'm guessing the "player to be named" is somebody like Watson or Langerhans. "We'll trade you our OF we've given up on for your OF you've given up on." I think it's worth a shot. We won't be giving up any important pieces, and there seems to be some limited potential for a big upside. If the PTBN is somebody more important than I've suggested then I would question the move. I doubt it though. PTBN's are almost always pretty non-descript. In the great scheme, it's really a pretty insignificant transaction.

amb141, the problem is that this is one more step towards doing nothing of substance in the off season. We don't need more potential. We already have Guzman potentially coming back next year and regaining the form he showed this year. We have Nick potentially coming back and being the hitter/fielder he's shown he can be. We have Kerns showing potential of being a decent corner outfielder. We have Nook as a potential Kenny Lofton type. We have Zimm being a potential .300/100/30 guy.

We don't need any more [RF]ing potential. We need proven impact players who can move us from being the worst offense in baseball.

WMP is yet another guy about whom you'd say, yeah, he'd be an OK corner outfielder hitting 6 in a really good lineup. We have enough of that already.

Any word on who's coming off the 25 active roster to make room for WMP? Looks like we're exercising the same type plan we had this spring with pitchers....bring all the outfielders we can find in and let em compete for a roster spot. Only 1 more JimBow fantasy left I think...Adam (them I'm) Dunn with the Reds.

joebleux:

Why? This doesn't change a thing about the off-season. They haven't given up on anyone important. This shouldn't stop them from going after a FA OF. To me it's a low risk/potential for high reward move.

Hey guys, it's been awhile.

I am confused about something: Why did we get Wily Mo? Have we not, for the past long, long time, been discussing how our OF needs help, in the form of a big time FA like Rowand or Hunter?

I love Wily Mo, I really do. He's on my team in MVP 2005 (the Nationals of course), but I don't see what he brings that the player-to-be-named-later can't bring. We need BA more than power. Yes?

I couldn't disagree more Mr. JoeBleux. Worst case scenario you have more guys than you have spots for and you trade 'em for something you really need.

From Bill Ladson:

With the addition of Pena, the Nationals will move Ryan Church from left field to center, while Pena will play left. Pena will most likely bat cleanup or fifth, in order to protect Ryan Zimmerman or Dmitri Young.

Okay, so I was actually going to WORK at work today, but then I accidentally went to NJ instead... so here goes.

I just want to make some kind of a shout out to all of the wonderful, beautiful, kind, loving, supportive people out there who happen to root for Philadelphia sports teams. Yes, the stereotypical Philly fan is a jerk, but we all know what happens when you put too much faith in stereotypes. As to the stories about brutal beatings, I don't think it's fair to imply (as I feel you all have, to some extent) that no one else in the world does that. Viciousness and violence aren't Philly Phan things -- they're Bad People things. And come on, you know that all Bad People aren't Philly Phans, and vice versa.

Also, I have a suggestion. Instead of booing down the other team's cheers, start up cheers for the Nats instead. And please, for goodness' sake, don't counteract a cheer of "Let's go Mets" with "Let's go Nats." It just sounds like you're helping them out. If you start a cheer with an entirely different rhythm ("Let's go Nationals," perhaps?) then positive support for your team will drown them out, leaving you with a really loud pro-Nats cheer. Just a thought.

Thanks for clearing up Pena's contract status, 418.

To whomever wrote the comment pasted below, I was looking at it from the latter point of view, I think. I certainly like Church over Logan offensively, but I don't think I like the idea of Church as the every day CF. If our outfield is Pena/Church/Logan/Kearns next year, I don't know which way I'm going to lean as far as center is concerned.

Barry has pointed out several times that Church would be a good fourth outfielder on a contending team. It'd be nice to see if that's true.

-----

John in Mlps,
Does your above comment say that you value Logan over Church? Or do you think the OF next year would be kearns in right Rowand (some FA) in center and Pena in left, with Church as the 4th and Logan as 5th off the roster?

His OBP doesn't look too good.but those are great SLG numbers.

What are the best slgs for our current roster?

When is this deal official? Who is going to be sent down or cut to make room?

WOW...if it's true what *According to Bill* just posted, what the heck does that do for Nook. Seems he was just finding himself at the plate and his speed hence has become a positive aspect. I know Nooks outfield play leaves room for improvement, but, I just wasn't prepared to give up on him so quickly...not like they did with Watson or Chavez.

Not so sure I trust Bill Ladsen's scoops these days...

Out of curiosity, how does a guy batting .218 with 5 HRs and 17 RBIs "protect" Zimmerman and Young?

Btw I haven't seen anyone (unless I missed it) discuss the suspect fielding of Pena.

That's one more plus.

Folks -

The bottom line is that the Nats do not have ONE starting OF who would play for a championship team. I've seen enough of them to know that. Logan and Church MIGHT be 4th OFs. Letting Wily Mo play to see if he can reach his potential playing every day is worth a shot. We already know what the rest of these guys can do. And please don't tell me Nook's been hot lately. He's a below average CF who hits genrally hits about .275 with no power. He's not the answer. He's another candidate to be the PTBN.

And yet, there you have it. Church is now the every day CF. I have no problem with that now, I just don't think it's the best idea for next season.

It does squash the Ladsonian idea of moving Dmitri to left, though, n'est-ce pas?

Will Pena* be available for tonight's game? If so, how do you see the lineup shaking out?

*I'll refrain from the Shakespearean "will" puns for now, seeing as how it's kind of a big news day.

... thanx all, for the info on bloggers. Sect506: 'tax dollars'???

... onto the matter of WiMoPe, one question: if he cannot play CF, then why??

"Geez guys, the Nats took a flyer on a 23 year old and gave up nothing in return (yet.) What is the problem? "

... plan or no plan, that is not the question. The question is why make the trade if it doesn't do anything to improve your team?

Word is that Pena won't suit up till tomorrow. Which, if true, means they don't have to remove someone from the roster until after tonight's game. My vote is Nook.

Langerhans will get DFAed to make room, I bet.

Most important WMP question: how loudly does he cry "I've got it!"

Here's the thing with Willy Mo for the rest of this year:

We got him for almost nothing, except Player to be Named. Here's his stats for 2007:

Less than 243/297/455, 31 HR

If we don't like him at the end of this year we're still in a better position than without him. As to what to do with outfielders, I think Langerhans has the most to worry about right now. Ribs in Toronto, Ryan, we'll remember you.

natsfan1a sez: "Barry's probably workin' it right now."

Section 419 sez: "Probably not, I'd say. He did previously mention that he's off this weekend for the Mets series. The Post will probably drop this news on its website whenever the intern assigned to cover tonight's game gets over to RFK."

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Section 502 sez: I suspect Barry Svrluga has already modified his weekend plans, and I do expect to see something from him in the paper or the website, if not here on NJ.

When an alarm sounds, firemen don't think about whether this is supposed to be their day off. When a story breaks, neither do reporters.

Good journalists (and Svrluga is one) tend to be motivated by the desire to get and then tell the story. And considering that as the Post's beat writer he's been developing sources in the Nats' organization since the club moved from Montreal, Svrluga knows he can get the story better than anybody else at the paper. (Frankly, whether that's true or not, that's what any reporter believes about his beat.)

It's funny, but on the way back from Cooperstown last month Ann and I were listening to the non-stop baseball coverage on XM (unsolicited plug: a service well worth the price if you spend much time in your car) and when the radio guys talked about the likelihood of this particular trade we discussed Willy Mo Pena to the Nationals. We wound up deciding it would be good for the Sox, but bad for the Nats if it required giving up anything more than a box of balls and an old-style catcher's mask. Since it sounds like that might be what we're paying the BoSox for WMP, I'm going to stick with my assessment from July but reserve the right to change my mind when the "player to be named" is named.

I think the idea here - and I'm coming around to it myself - is that, for virtually no cost, the Nats potentially upgraded in LF. If Pena reaches the potential some see in him, it's a significant upgrade. If he tanks, it still doesn't hurt the team.

The Nats aren't in a pennant chase, so they can take a chance on the guy and give him a tryout.

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... plan or no plan, that is not the question. The question is why make the trade if it doesn't do anything to improve your team?

And how!

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Ribs in Toronto, Ryan, we'll remember you.

The fact that they are moving Church to CF for the rest of the season is good news. It means they don't think Nook is the long term answer. Play Wily Mo every day and see if he's got anything. Sign a FA CF. Then decide who among Pena, Logan, Church, and Kearns you keep. The Nats so badly need hitting at the top levels of their organization, it cannot hurt to give him a shot.

Note that the deal happened right after NJ checked in for more surgery. This makes it even more unlikely Da Meat will be chasing flies & frees up a potential slot in the OF, whether Hunter/Rowand decide to move here or not.

Look at it as an audition. If he flunks, the team can non-tender him in arbitration.

RIBS in TORONTO?!

Regarding Philly fans. As I said before I wore my Card's hat to Cards/Philly games at Veterans Stadium in the 70's with no problem and there were no problems in my section the last two seasons. I always thought the baseball fans were a cut above the Flyers' and Sixers' fans (both with whom I had unpleasant experiences back in the day).

I do not know why we got Wily Mo but congrats to y'all who predicted we would obtain him (I personally thought you were smoking banned substance either of the Cuban or Grass variety). It does not cost us anything and could be a plus if Jimbo is proved correct in his enthusiasm.

Question: Any comment from anyone on the Dude who flits in and out of this Blog with the "Sorry to see you go in December Barry" post?
Barry ignores it as have you all. I must say it has me a bit apprehensive.

The obvious choice to disappear is Tony Batista. Say what you want about Wily's career so far, who would you rather see in a late inning pinch hitting situation: Pena or Batista? Fick stays as the backup 1B and lefty PH (as bad as that is) and Nook stays as a DR and PR (defensive replacement and pinch runner)

Although, it would seem to make some sense to just platoon Pena and Church in left. Pena's 271/342/472 vs. Church's 255/338/398 against LHPs.

I'd be willing to bet the PTBNL is not someone on the 40 man roster right now. The Sox didn't have room for Wily, they won't have room for the dregs of the Nats's 40 man.

Here's a scouting report on WMP from sportsnet (maybe written by Jimmy B):

"Assets: Pena has great size and five-tool ability, excelling with runners aboard. Combined with his drive, he projects to be a formidable player.

Flaws: There isn't a pitch he doesn't like to swing at, particularly against righties. Unfortunately, his bat doesn't always make contact on those swings, piling up the K's. His defense is a work in progress.

Career potential: Star outfielder when he finally gets a chance."

I think this one goes firmly in the Bowden "stockpiling potential assets off the trash heap" category. Is WMP potentially better than Church/Langerhans? Sure. So you make the deal. Do we still need a free agent CF? Absolutely.

OK #4...I'm coming around to see it your way...what the %*&% anyway. Not like we're playoff bound this year. Nook would be a nice fit on a team that already had a power hitting outfielder on board, a .275 hitter with speed is not a bad asset to have...is it?

"Question: Any comment from anyone on the Dude who flits in and out of this Blog with the "Sorry to see you go in December Barry" post?
Barry ignores it as have you all. I must say it has me a bit apprehensive."

Somebody remember to ask him next chat. I don't delude myself enough to think Barry reads all our posts. I suspect he skims and scans as he is able to, because he does find them interesting. Though Mrs. Nationals Journal ought to read them all and quietly laugh to herself at how her husband came to be worshiped by a bunch of obsessive geeks for being an obsessive geek. I know *I* wish I could figure out how to do it!

I hadn't thought of it before, but does anyone think that JimBo in no way has lost confidence in Nook? Maybe he's trying Church and Pena (what's the character map code for the accent?) out for fourth outfield, planning on moving in Rowand or Hunter for left and keep highlight-reel diving Nook in center? You'd get Nook's glove (which is good and his eye is getting better) in center as a fast, slap-hitter (which has its uses) and an upgrade in the outfield.

It does improve your team. Willy Mo has to be better than Robert Fick. We already have Young & Batista at first.

10 pinch hit RBIs, third-most in the league, according to the stat box next to the gamer a few days ago, if I remember correctly. I think they hang on to him for a right-handed pinch hitter.

Langerhans, on the other hand, has become redundant. Do the Nats really need a fifth outfielder and another left-handed pinch hitter?

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The obvious choice to disappear is Tony Batista.

Now if only you could get him a pair of lungs...

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You'd get Nook's glove (which is good and his eye is getting better) in center as a fast, slap-hitter (which has its uses) and an upgrade in the outfield.

I think we should have seen this coming when they moved Logan back to hitting 8th.

Bottom line - this team needs more pop, WMP gives us (some) of that. Moving Church to CF gives us little loss in defense and WMP gives us much more offense. Logan might do well in a PH/PR roll.

As a roster move this is fantastivc, our 3 weekest players are Langerhans, Fick and Jiminez - now 1 of those 3 is replaced by a guy who can hit in the heart of the line-up.

For next year I see us getting a true CF hitter, if we can, and church is our 4th OF (if he isn't traded).

Tonights line-up;
1. Lopez
2. Belliard
3. Zimmerman
4. Young
5. Pena
6. Kearns
7. Church
8. Schneider
9. Chico

I don't think you'll see Pena tonight.

I don't think Pena's in today, esj (according to an earlier post this thread: "Word is that Pena won't suit up till tomorrow."). Also, how DO you do the tilde in WMP's name on a PC?

I'm no expert in crafting lineups, but when I think about the possibility of adding Torii Hunter in center, I get a little excited.

Keeping Pena and adding Kearns - as well as hopefully adding a healthy Nick and Guz - would allow some of these guys to hit in more appropriate slots in the order. Barry has repeatedly pointed out that Zimmerman and Kearns would ideally be hitting lower in the order. Imagine if that could be true.

And man, if you have Belliard (L), Young (S), and Church (L) coming off the bench, that's quite a boost.

WMP-- aaarrgh, no!! I did my time with this guy as a Reds fan prior to '05, I really don't want to suffer with his strikeouts or key errors again. I would much rather have Tony Batista up in a key situation than Wily Mo Pena. The guy is like a heavier version of Nook Logan -- all the tools that look good to scouts, but can't play, has no baseball instincts.

All that said, WMP is better than Robert Fick...but then again, so are half of the ushers at RFK. If Fick is the guy displaced, fine.

Church moves to center...I think this is a precursor to an Adam Dunn acquisition in the off season.

Too bad JimBo didn't go for the other end of that trade and get Arroyo. A good pitcher in a bad enviornment having a bad year. Nice third starter in my opinion.

I really do not like WMP. He is Langerhans with a bit more pop in the bat. Sure, if he hits the ball it will go far but everytime I've seen him he looks to be an easy out. There's not much a threat when you know you can throw junk out of the strike zone and he is going to swing (and miss) at it. I hope that "PTBNL" is not anyone halfway decent.

I don't know, but either someone finds out really fast, or we have to dump him at the end of the season. This WMP stuff is starting to get to me.

Yeah, I know, that's coming from a guy who types "Mpls" with every post.

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Also, how DO you do the tilde in WMP's name on a PC?

I'm coming around to Wily Mo Peña on a 6 week tryout. Cheap tryout, hopefully light a fire, and find out if playing everyday will help him find his groove.

Just posting now so you can copy and paste his name without having to worry about typing the tilde.

Ray:

I don't think the Nats plan on having Church play CF every day next year. This is not a Dunn precursor. Now, they may add Dunn AND a CF, but they won't play Church in CF full time.

Piling on to: "10 pinch hit RBIs, third-most in the league, according to the stat box next to the gamer a few days ago, if I remember correctly. I think they hang on to him for a right-handed pinch hitter.

Langerhans, on the other hand, has become redundant. Do the Nats really need a fifth outfielder and another left-handed pinch hitter?

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The obvious choice to disappear is Tony Batista."

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I did a quick count with mlb.com and found in one plate appearances (the best I can do to track pinch hits) Batista is 6 for his last 10 with 5 RBI. I'm willing to revise the narrative on Tony from the days when he was worth some cold hot dogs.

Ok, now that we have a copy-paste sample text:

As mentioned above, IF WMP does find his groove during the next 6 weeks, the Nats get a steal. If he doesn't, we hurt our chances of hitting the 75-win or .500 mark a bit. With the cash from Boston, we're getting paid to give him a tryout for the rest of the season with consistent playing time.

Langerhans has got to be the one on the outs, although Fick is possible if we feel ok in Batista at first. Perhaps all the haters of the Meat-switch late in the game will get their wish.

Player to be named:
if this is determined at the end of the tryout:
Good performance: Brandon Watson/Nook?

Bad performance: Micah Bowie? groundballing lefty

I have to think that Bowie is worth more than that. I can see him the bullpen next year as a guy who can be both a situational lefty and a long reliever.

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Bad performance: Micah Bowie? groundballing lefty

I am pretty sure that a Player to be named can not be on the 40 man roster.

#4 -- I think you're right that the Nats don't plan on having Church play everyday, but they may just want to see him out there for the rest of this season in case they can't close the deal on any of the FA's. (I'm really warming up to the idea of Rowland out there, even though he had a tough series here.) I still think Dunn is coming though notwithstanding who ends up in center.

Langerhans is better than WMP even with his batting average on the interstate. But for some reason Langerhans has lost favor and I have a feeling that he may be the one that is gone. But I'm hoping and praying that its bye bye Fick.

You don't know that JB didn't give up someone of value until you learn who PTBNL is. Usually the PTBNL is on the DL because you cannot be traded while on the DL. So look at the DL and assume one of those players is PTBNL.

Disabled List

Bergman
Bowie
Colome
Patterson
Simontacchi
Wagner
Guzman
Johnson
Escobar

Over 200 replies again. Awesome.

Of that list, I think Escobar or Simontacchi would cause me the least pain.

The PTBNL can be anyone. With more thought, the PTBNL will be one of the 7th inning relievers that the Nats have stockpiled (Bowie, Bacsik, Booker, Rivera, Schroder, Abreu). The Red Sox probably structured the trade this way so that they could add the guy after September 1st. That way they don't need to send a P down now, and they don't waste anyone's options. I'm sure they're looking for insurance with the way Gagne has started.

John Mpls -

I'm with you that Bowie has a role here in DC land. I wasn't dissing him any, especially after he stepped up beyond the call of duty this year.

Maybe I should've started with the question: Does anyone know the ground rules (if any) for PTBNL?

I thought PTBNL can be selected after a pre-determined time based on performance during that time, similar to my Good/Average/Poor performance scale. Do the teams agree on who the player(s) in question would be up front?

And, as natrat asked, is there any restriction on PTBNL and the 40-man roster? I think I've remembered a PTBNL being on the team at the time, but now you got me thinking.

Can we still send them Vinny Castilla? How about a bag of used balls?

Maybe I will be proven wrong again (never though that inviting 37 pitchers to spring training would result in a decent starting rotation). I guess if the price on the back end is low it is worth a shoot. But seriously, if he was not putting dents in that wall in left in Boston what chance does he have in cavernous RFK for the remainder of the year as a try out? Plus, he defense is how shall we say - not good.

Fick's not going anywhere. He plays 1B, LF, RF, and (most importantly) catcher. He's needed in case Flores is used as a pinch hitter and then Schneider gets hurt. Notice how Manny NEVER burns him as a pinch hitter. That's a small part of the reason you see him go in for Meat in late innings.